DECEMBER 7 MFA BRIEFING: IRAN NUCLEAR, SIX- PARTY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024377

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ENRG ECON KN IR CH
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 7 MFA BRIEFING: IRAN NUCLEAR, SIX- PARTY
TALKS, DPRK REFUGEES, DALAI LAMA ON TIBET, STRATEGIC
ECONOMIC DIALOGUE, ENERGY MINISTERIAL AND BRIBERY IN MACAU


BEIJING 00024377 001.2 OF 002



1. Key Points at the December 7 MFA Press Conference
were:

-- China believes diplomacy on the Iran nuclear issue
needs more time and space.

-- The DPRK nuclear issue will likely be discussed
during upcoming ASEAN meetings.

-- It is "inappropriate" for UNHCR to call DPRK
refugees in China "refugee surplus." These people
enter China illegally, violate Chinese laws and attack
schools and embassies.

-- China criticizes the Dalai Lama's suggestion that
there will be instability in Tibet if China does not
compromise on the Tibet issue before he dies.

-- China urges positive efforts on export controls in
connection with the Senior Economic Dialogue.

-- The NDRC will host a Five-Nation Energy Ministerial
December 16.

-- China has no opinion on the Iraq Study Group
report.

-- The Spokesperson had no information on a bribery
scandal in Macao, aid to the post-coup government in
Fiji or a possible visit by the head of Japan's House
of Representatives.

Give Iran Diplomacy More Time And Space
--------------


2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang said in the regular
December 7 press briefing that China believes
diplomacy on the Iran nuclear issue should be given
more time and space. Asked if China is ready for a UN
Security Council vote on Iran's nuclear program, Qin
said actions taken by the Security Council should be
conducive to the goal of a peaceful settlement reached
through dialogue and consultation.

DPRK Nuclear Issue Will Be Discussed at ASEAN meetings
-------------- --------------


3. China supports Six-Party Talks and plays an
important role in the process, Qin said in deflecting
a reporter's query about whether the DPRK would end
its nuclear program if United States' nuclear weapons
were removed from South Korea and nearby countries.
The parties are now studying how to proceed after the
heads of delegations from the United States and DPRK
voiced their positions at recent meetings in Beijing.
Responding to a question about upcoming ASEAN-related
meetings in the Philippines, Qin said it would be
natural for the DPRK nuclear issue to be discussed as
China, the ROK and Japan will attend the meetings.


4. Asked to respond to views in Japan and Australia
that the East Asian Summit (EAS) needs to have more
substance than just a simple exchange of ideas, Qin
said East Asian cooperation is a long-term project
requiring time and experience. The EAS is a new
platform for open and tolerant regional cooperation,
and China understands that countries have different
views on the topics and purpose of the Summit.

UNHCR Stance on North Korean Refugees "Inappropriate"
-------------- --------------


5. Qin denounced as "inappropriate" remarks by the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
labeling North Koran refugees in China as "refugee
surplus" who will likely be jailed, tortured or killed
if returned to the DPRK. Although China deals with
these North Koreans in accordance with international
law and humanitarian principles, China hopes others
can take an objective view toward these people, who
enter China illegally, violate Chinese laws and attack
schools and embassies, said Qin.

Dalai Lama Should Not Seek to "Split" China
--------------


6. A reporter asked for China's comment about a report
that the Dalai Lama said there would be major
instability in Tibet if China does not reach a
compromise on the Tibet issue before he dies. Qin

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said if the Dalai Lama cares about Tibet he and others
should cease activities that seek to split the
motherland. Tibet has been a part of China since
ancient times and is recognized by no countries in the
world as independent from China. The people of Tibet
enjoy stability, development and harmony and look
forward to a better tomorrow, Qin said.

SED and Export Control Policy
--------------


7. China has consistently called for the United States
to lift restrictions harmful to trade with China, Qin
said when asked if high technology export control
policy would be discussed at the upcoming Strategic
Economic Dialogue. Positive efforts on the issue not
only serve the interests of the United States but also
help bring normal, balanced trade relations between
the two countries. The trade relationship between
China and the United States should be based on respect
and mutual benefit, so as to realize a win-win result,
Qin said.

Energy Ministerial; Australian Uranium Sales
--------------


8. Energy ministers from China, Japan, the ROK, India
and the United States will meet in China December 16
at the invitation of the National Development and
Reform Commission. The talks aim to reduce energy
costs, ensure global energy security, raise efficiency
and find more substitute sources of energy. They seek
to promote cooperation and dialogue among these major
energy consumers.


9. Peaceful nuclear cooperation between China and
Australia is mutually beneficial, said Qin when asked
to comment on the Australian uranium sales to China.
As signatories to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
and members of the IAEA, both countries will
specifically implement and earnestly fulfill their
obligations.

China Has No Opinion On Iraq Study Group Report
-------------- ---


10. Whether the report of the Iraqi Study Group is
welcomed or not is a decision for President Bush, not
China, Qin said in response to questions about the
Iraq Study Group Report. China hopes the Iraq issue
is settled according to UN resolutions and seeks a
peaceful Iraq governed by the Iraqi people.

Number Three Official in Macau Sacked for Bribery
-------------- --------------


11. Qin said he had no information about the arrest
this morning of the Macau Secretary of State for
Transport and Public Works Ao Man Long on charges of
bribery. Macau has a high degree of autonomy under
the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement and the
chief executive has authority to take necessary steps.
Fiji Coup, Possible Japanese Visit
--------------


12. Qin deflected questions about whether the Speaker
of the Japanese House of Representatives will meet
with President Hu and about whether Fiji would turn to
China or Taiwan for aid if the United States or
Australia withdraw aid following the recent military
coup.
Randt